By Professor Gbolahan Oni, PhD; F.S.S. Department of Economics and Development Studies Covenant University Presented at the Executive Advance 2015/2016 Academic Session. August 3, 2015

Questions that will be addressed 1. What is the role of Education in National Development or Nation-Building? 2. What is the role of a University in attaining National Education Objectives? 3. How has Covenant University placed herself as a higher education institution in Nigeria and for attainment of National Education Objectives?

Questions that will be addressed 4. What are the prospects of CU attaining the mission or goals that she had set for herself? 5. What are the challenges in the pursuit of her mission?

Role of Education in National Development or Nation Building  It was Nelson Mandela who said; “ Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world”.  Hence, education is the best legacy that any nation can give to her citizens  It is so important that some considered it as a human right that should be accorded to all human beings solely by reason of being human.  Education improves the development of any society, hence the need for the educated ones to occupy significant positions in order to improve the lot of the society

History of Nigeria Educational System Between 1914 and 1960: British System of Education was operated 1960 – 1969: Ills and shortcomings expressed about the continued relevance of British System of Education for Nigerian children 1969: First Curriculum Conference was held

History of Nigeria Educational System 1977, 1981, 1998 and 2004: National Policies on Education meetings were held, with prime purpose of improving quality of education in Nigeria In 2004 Education Policy, the FGN adopted education as an instrument “par excellence” for affecting national development. Despite stated commitment, quality of education continued to decline

Role of University for Attaining National Education Objectives  Universities are charged with responsibility of training most of the manpower a nation needs for her development  A university’s purpose and characteristics are described by its mission, i.e., her goals and objectives on research, teaching and service  UNESCO had stated that “teaching and research” are the intellectual functions of the university

Role of University for Attaining National Education Objectives  In addition, service is the social function or role of the university that provides the link between the intellectual and educational role of the university on one hand and development of the society on the other.  It is imperative that a functional university must be set up for effective and relevant research, teaching and community services  A university can be judged based on its performances on those three legs.

Covenant University in the Nigeria Educational System Covenant University (CU) is one of the new private universities in Nigeria that emerged during this century (i.e., last 15 years). She owes her existence to God Almighty who gave the vision to our spiritual father and Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo. In just 12 years of existence, she has risen to be the leading university in Nigeria and West Africa and in the top 20 in African continent. She aspires to be one the best 10 universities in the world by 2022.

Reasons for CU Achievements CU Vision: To be a leading world-Class Christian University committed to raising a new generation of leaders in all field of human endeavour. This vision is God-given to the Visioner, the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church and our Chancellor, Dr. David O. Oyedepo

Reasons for CU Achievements (Cont) Mission: the mission states: “To create knowledge and restore the dignity of the black man via a human Development and Total Man Concept driving curriculum, employing innovative, leading edge teaching and learning methods, research and professional services that promote integrated, life- applicable, life-transforming education relevant to the context of science, technology and human capacity.

Reasons for CU Achievements (Cont) The Core Values of the University: The CU leadership trust is based on the seven Core Values of Spirituality, Possibility Mentality, Capacity Building, Integrity, Responsibility, Diligence and Sacrifice The application of these Core Values in the University is very obvious and intense. It has helped to instill discipline in the university community, i.e. faculty, staff and students. It will not be wrong to say that our community is the most disciplined university community in Nigeria

Vision 1 of 10 in 10 Vision 1-of-10-in-10: Definitely arose from the overall vision of the University. It is therefore, also a God-given Vision which will definitely come to fulfillment

Some Other CU Strategic Steps Employment of high quality faculty and staff Development and regular updating of curriculum Allocation of adequate resources both for teaching and research – modern teaching facilities, well equipped scientific laboratories, encouragerment and funding of relevant research through CUCRID.

Some Other CU Strategic Steps Town and Gown Seminars Series: which promotes close interaction between the university and industries and exposes the students to knowing how their traning will be relevant to the various industries and have a glimpse on how things do work out there; thereby making them to be better prepared for the job market after graduation

Some Other CU Strategic Steps Innovation, Product Development and Nation Building: The university goal for as declared by the Vice –Chancellor. According to him one of the objectives is to produce products in collaboration with industries that will meet required standards for consumers. This is definitely a laudable goal

Prospects of Covenant University Achieving her Goals The original vision to create a world Class Christian University committed to raising a new generation of leaders, and all other visions that arose from that main vision including “Vision 10:2022”are God-Given Vision” through His Servant, the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo. They are therefore, “Prophetic Verdicts” “When God says it, that settles it”

END Heaven on Earth ! Long live Covenant University !! Thank You for Listening